If the US-UK alliance did not prevent foreseen and avoidable civilian deaths resulting from its actions in Afghanistan, these actions would not be seen as lawful self defence, Ms Karen Kenny, a member of the Department of Foreign Affairs-NGO Committee on Human Rights and a founder of the International Human Rights Trust, has told a meeting in Dublin.
Another possible consequence, she said, was that civilian deaths "may be defined as war crimes or crimes against humanity for which individual criminal responsibility arises". The burden was on the US to show the UN why it was necessary to bomb Afghanistan, to show evidence against Osama bin Laden and to show that the action was proportionate, she said.
The crimes against humanity in New York and Washington demonstrated the rationale for the future international criminal court, said Ms Kenny, speaking in a personal capacity.
Ms Mary Van Lieshout of US Citizens in Ireland for Alternatives to War, a former Oxfam worker, said: "We're opposed to the bombs - smart or dumb. We're opposed to the ground troops - elite or common. We're disgraced by the wanton destruction of Afghan society and civilian life and condemn George Bush's total disregard for international law and human rights."
She said meaningful negotiations must begin on "the issues of oppression, unlawful occupation, poverty and under-development in the Islamic states".
Mr Andy Storey of Afri said the Irish Government had "hidden too long behind euphemisms and distortions".